FT. LAUDERDALE, Fla. -- Shortly after Sundays 6-5 shootout loss to the Boston Bruins, Scott Hartnell was asked whether he had made any plans for the All-Star break.
Hartnell paused for a second, then replied that he hadnt made any definitive plans he couldnt change if he got a call.
"Obviously really, really excited," he said, when asked how he felt when he learned he'd been called up. "I didn't know if I was going to get the call or not and unfortunately some guys have to get hurt and take some time off. It'll be a pretty cool experience. It'll be my first All-Star Game and my family is all going to be there, so it'll be a really nice weekend."
Well, the call finally came, as the Flyers power forward was added to Sundays All-Star roster in Ottawa as an injury substitute.
Hartnell will replace Chicago Blackhawk Jonathan Toews, who will miss the All-Star Game because of an upper-body injury. He was added to injured reserve on Tuesday morning.
"I found out last night," Hartnell said. "I got a call from Brendan Shanahan and he told me to kind of keep it on the down-low, but it was pretty exciting. It was right before bedtime and my heart was racing. I got a little nervous too. There's been so many emotions and it's been a good season so it's nice to be rewarded with the selection, but like I said earlier it was too bad that Toews isn't going, obviously he deserves to be there."
An 11-year veteran, Hartnell (plus-18) is tied for fourth in the league in goal scoring (25) and is having a career season with 44 points, which puts him the NHL's top 20. He has never been an All-Star and, for the past several weeks, said he would consider it an honor to be chosen, even if he were a late add-on.
NHL
Minnesotas Mikko Koivu and Winnipegs Dustin Byfuglien dropped out on Monday because of injuries. Alex Ovechkin dropped out on Tuesday, since he was suspended by the NHL for three games for a hit on Pittsburghs Zbynek Michalek over the weekend.
Hartnell will join Flyer veterans Claude Giroux and Kimmo Timonen, as well as rookies, Matt Read and Sean Couturier, who will compete in the skills competition on Saturday.
E-mail Tim Panaccio at tpanotch@comcast.net